Rangers striker and former Tottenham Hotspur forward Jermain Defoe has given his verdict on the return of former teammate Gareth Bale to north London.
Defoe played alongside global footballing superstar Bale during two spells at Spurs between 2007 and 2013 and was at the club when the Welshman moved to Real Madrid for a world record £85.3m in 2013.
Now Bale is back with Tottenham and being an ex-player of Spurs, Defoe is excited to see the talented 31-year-old forward turn out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time.
“It is a massive signing, isn’t it? There has always been speculation about Gareth going back because they made it clear at Madrid they didn’t want him there,” said Defoe [Scottish Sun].
“It’s like fairytale with him coming back to Tottenham.
“He was linked with all those other teams, as you could imagine because he is a top player. To see it happen now is amazing.
“I hope he does well. The attacking options Jose Mourinho has now look quite frightening. I want to wish him all the best.
“It’s been difficult for him. I know Gareth as a person. He’s a nice guy, a family man and a top player.
“All he has to do now is play football and be happy. That’s when we’re at our happiest, when we’re playing.
“I’ve never really understood when people say you shouldn’t go back.
“He’s going back into a team where there has been a transitional period, but with one of the best managers ever in Jose Mourinho.
“He knows the place. Only Hugo Lloris is still there from when he left, so there are going to be loads of new faces and a lot of young players.
“But, for me, it is the perfect time now and the perfect move for him.”
Bale has rejoined Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid after falling out of favour at the Bernabeu despite years of trophy-laden service in Madrid where he won four Champions League medals.
Plenty feel the Welshman is treated unfairly in Spain and he will now return to the Premier League with this Spursside in desperate need to reinvigoration in the early part of the season.
According to Sky Sports, Tottenham will pay around £20m in loan fees and wages to bring Bale to London for the season.
